Chapter 22

**Blue**


“This thing is amazing!”

I’ve been fiddling with this new phone for an hour now trying to figure out all the things I can do.

“It’s nothing unusual. Most phones can do the same things.” Artemis says casually.

I throw him a look over my shoulder but his eyes are focused on the TV. He’s so focused on it that you would think the guy has never watched TV before. The fact that everyone says his work is his life, I could see that being true.

“It’s unusual for me. You sound like a snob.” I fire back before returning my attention to the amazing little tech in my hand.

It’s a lot bigger than the one I used to have so holding it feels odd, but the screen is really big. To mess with Artemis I searched for him on the browser and found a video interview of him. Of course, I watched the whole thing with him sitting next to me and I laughed several times. He looked like an emotionless robot and still the interviewer looked at him like the prince she’s been waiting her whole life to find. Artemis grumbled a few complaints at my internet study session, but I reminded him that the internet never lies and I need to learn all the truths about him that I can.

Of course, I know that isn’t true, but it made him get all red-faced so it was worth it. I’m learning that he is very easy to rile up and I have decided it is my new favorite game to make sure it happens.

“I don’t understand the appeal of this yet.” He says suddenly.

I look over at him just as he eats a few fires from his plate. “It’s fun. You know fun?”

He gives me an unimpressed look before turning his attention to the TV again. I don’t know what we’re watching since I’ve been too enthralled with my phone, but it’s some sort of show.

After Abigail helped me set up my phone Artemis basically kicked her out. He pulled the cart of food we ordered into our room without a word and then stared at me with expectation. I realized that he was actually going to join me for my food and TV veg session.

That’s what we’ve been doing for a while now and it’s nice. He has made a few comments about how idiotic it is but he hasn’t gotten up and left so he must not hate it. I press on the icon of a head and shoulders and a list of names pops up. At the very top is Artemis Rhodes (husband). Did he add that?

“You don’t need to label yourself. I know who you are and don’t you think that it’s a little soon for this?” I turn the phone to show him but he just shrugs.

“It’s a reminder.”

“Do I have to remind you again that we aren’t married yet?”

“Don’t start Blue. Now stop messing with that thing and order some clothes. I’m getting sick of seeing you in these ridiculous clothes everyone’s picking out for you.”

I pretend to be offended but I’m on board with that.

“Fine, but you know you shouldn’t say things like that to women. You lie and say everything looks good on them.”

He looks at me like I’m stupid. “Why? Isn’t it better to be honest? What if it does look bad and she goes into the world looking like a mess?”

I bite back a laugh. “Because it’s nice. Do you want me to tell you that I hate your suits?”

“Yes. Is there one you don’t like? My stylist picks them and said they were the best quality.”

Oh my gosh. The dense little tech boy.

“Actually, the one you wore today wasn’t my favorite but I’ve only seen you in two so…”

He stands and starts to unzip his pants.

“Ah! God dammit Artemis!” I yell covering my eyes with my hands.

I don’t know why I’m being such a prude when he clearly has no modesty but it seems rude to just…look. Okay, it’s mostly because I can’t deal with all of his god-like perfection! He has a slim frame with defined muscles but they don’t bulge like he’s trying to look muscular. It suits him though and it’s hard to look at without drooling!

“You need to stop freaking out every time I change. We’re going to be married and we already went over how I’m not the first man you’ve seen without clothes.”

He makes good points but still! Also, he had been spooning me in that state as well. Uh, whatever…

I drop my hand and look at the TV instead of him. Okay, I steal a glance from the corner of my eye but that’s all. Whatever we were watching changes to a news broadcast.

*“Breaking news. An entire family was slaughtered today in a small town just outside of Pheonix. Let’s go over to Lisa who is live at the scene.

Thank you, Jim! I’m at the scene of a gruesome murder. At five o'clock this evening a neighbor called for emergency services when she heard screaming coming from this residence. When first responders arrived they found a gruesome scene. Several children from the ages of five to thirteen were found killed. No other individual was found inside but it is said that the owners of the house had been taking in foster children for many years. We have an image of them here. At this time the police are unsure what to make of their absence at the scene. We will remain on the scene and bring you updates as the case moves forward.

Thank you, Lisa! We do have images of the individuals the police are searching for.”*

Two pictures appear and it feels like someone has punched me in the gut. Looking back at me are two faces I hoped to never see again. They’re older now but it’s them. All of that delicious food I ate starts to work its way back up and I have to sprint to the bathroom so I don’t make a mess of our bed. I fall to my knees and let it all go.

“Blue!” I hear Artemis call out but I can barely hear him over the screaming in my own head.

Screaming that sounds like several voices crying out all at once. As if I can hear the dead kids the second their life was taken. Or maybe it’s a memory…I can’t tell because every fear I’ve held captive in the back of my mind is pouring out. The box I locked all those memories in has been leaking for a while now, but now it’s like the top has burst open and everything is rushing out at once. A slideshow of every horrible thing that I’ve seen is moving in front of my eyes at a rapid pace.

I feel hands on me and I reflexively flinch away from them when that man’s face smiles back at me. Do they still let them foster kids? I was sure someone would stop them!

“Blue? Can you hear me?”

Yes.

“Come on Blue…” I hear his voice but it still sounds too far away and I can’t see him.

Where is he?

“Artemis?”

“That’s right. Come on Blue…” Warm hands cup my face and the face of a man I wish I could forget is slowly replaced with another.

In his place is Artemis’s handsome face. He really is handsome…

“Are you back with me?” He asks.
I try to nod my head but it feels too heavy. His hands leave my face but he moves them down to my waist and tightens his arms around me. He pulls me to my feet and keeps hold of me when my legs shake.

“I have you.” He says so softly it sounds like a prayer.

Even with his help though my legs give out. He recovers quickly and instead of holding me up he tucks one arm around my shoulder and leans down to lift me with his other. I’m surprised but too weak to react other than to rest my head on his shoulder. He carries me over to the bed and sets me down on the edge before releasing me and disappearing. My eyes stay fixed on the soft cream carpet under my feet until he appears again. He crouches down in front of me and holds a glass out to me.

“Drink this.”

I take it from him with shakey hands and lift the cup to my mouth. It’s cool to the touch and when I take a sip the cool water feels so good against my now sore throat. I take a few more sips and I start to feel myself becoming more alert.

“Blue. What happened?” Artemis asks in that same calm cool voice.

I’m too ashamed to look at him. How am I supposed to explain what just happened? Or why I reacted that way to a random news broadcast?

I don’t want him to know but how long can I keep all of the stuff in my past a secret?